Motor-vehicle signal



a 28 1927. e s. L. BRAFMAN MOTOR VEHICLE SIGNAL Filed May 13 1926 Patented June 28, 1927.

' Y umrausraras sAMUELh BRAFMAN, OF NEW YORK, Ni Y.

' MOTOR-VEHICLE SIGNAL.

Application'filed May '13, 1926. Serial No. 108,959;

This invention relates to signals generally, adapted for manual operation and Specifically belongs in the field of information-imparting signals for use in connection with motor-vehicles or the like.

The primary object of the invention. is to provide means, operating as indicated above, which will take the place of the rather obsolete method of signaling by hand, said means being distinctive in a manner to cause no confusion on the part of an approaching vehicle concerning the .intentions of the operator in advance of said vehicle.v

Another object is the production of simple and easily operated device-especially adapted to the above uses, by the combination with a source of light, as a flashlight for instance.

Still another object resides in the provision of indicia which is associated with the casing of the device and positioned thereon in such manner as to admirably accomplish the desiredpurpose.

A still further object is to provide a casing adapted to converge rays of light to certain light-emitting ports to enable the flashlight portion thereof to function solely as such under certain conditions.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of certain closure means, associated with a ported portion of the casing, said means being adapted for easy placement and removalwhen desired.

lVith these objects in View, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel formation, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In said drawings.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the cas ing of the device, the flashlight portion being shown emerging from the bottom of said casing and broken away.

Fig. 2 is an elevation taken at right angles to Fig. 1; the flashlight portion here being shown complete so far as the protruding portion is concerned.

Fig. 3 is a vertical central longitudinal sectional view illustrating the interior arrangement and construct-ion of said casing; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view to illustrate the closure means, the remaining portion of said casing being broken away.

For the past several years the attention of thetratfic authorities, in cooperation with the many thousands of motorists,'has been directed to the subject of signaling and trafiic direction, especially in view of the everlncreasing number of machines in the streets of our cities, and the attendant aggravated conditions brought about by rear-end collisions during the so-called rush-hours of traflic.

The situation has brought to the front a number of ideas and suggestions, some practical-and some otherwise, but in the final analysis it is quite apparent that none have found favor with the motorist, as an individual, and the result is that resort to the hand-methods of signaling thus far appears to be the only, solution.

Proceeding on this theory, I have endeavored to develop, my idea whereinhandmethods may be used, but I. enhance such methods and place in the reach of a motorist, a device that easily performs the functions of hand-signaling and further, enlarge the scopethereof, as will presently appear.

The accompanying drawing shows the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designating generally the device as a whole, the casing portion thereof being .numeraled 6, and comprising front and rear faces 7 and 8 respectively and side portions 9.

As shown in Fig. 2 said. faces 7 and 8 converge upwardly, so that in side elevation the said casing 6 appears triangular, and this is no mere incident, as will presently appear.

In order to conform to present-clay metho'ds, I have provided each of said faces 7 and 8, with an opening 10, cut to simulate a hand, with palm extended, while the sides 9 are each triangularly apertured to present iicient to hold said parts in assembled relation, they may be separated at certain opportune periods.

The base portion 17 of said casing 6 is also aperture-d, as at 18, to receive the forward end of a flashlight 19, or other source of light.

The operation of the device is extremely simple and it will suthce to say that it is only necessary for the operator of a motorvehicle to grasp the protruding portion of said flashlight 19 and bodily extend the said device at right-angles and within sight of an approaching vehicle-operator. Obviously the distinctiveness of the signalling means, the simulated hand, for instance, attracts the attention of said operator much more readily than the human hand itself.

Obviously during the day, it will not be absolutely necessary to operate the light of said flashlight, but after twilight the switch 20 may be operated at will for the purpose of illun'iinating the hand with a reddened glow in view of the coloring of said portion 12. And if desired the device may be turned at right-angles, when extended, to show the green section 13, in order that the rear driver may positively be assured that a change in position is about to take place.

When once mounted. in the casing 6, it is good policy to leave the flashlight in this position, but foreseeing the desirability of using the device for flashlight purposes, I have provided the aperture 15, as hereinbefore described, and it is quite obviousthat it is only necessary to remove its closure 16, whereupon the rays from the flashlight may be cast in any desired position to perform all flashlight purposes. The converging faces of said casing tend to project the rays ever toward the aperture and thus a relatively strong and eiiicient light is assured.

lVhile the present is a disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, as various changes in the minor details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. r

I claim: 7

1. In a signaling device, the combination with a flashlight, of a truncated casing having openings simulating the human hand, disposed in the opposite faces thereof, and a second set of openings in the sides of said casing, the apex of said casing being apertured to permit the passage of light from said flashlight therethrough and there being an aperture arranged in the base of said casing for the reception of said flashlight, and means adapted to seat within and close the first-mentioned aperture, said means be ing rabbetted to engage the sides of said aperture to assure a snug lit.

2. A signaling device comprising a casing substantially triangular in section and having an opening in its bottom for the reception of a flashlight, the inclined opposite faces of said case presenting openings disposed to simulate the human hand, the opposite sides thereof each having an opening, the said openings in the inclined sides and the last-named openings being provided with translucent material indicating red and green respectively, said casing being further provided with an aperture at the top thereof positioned directly in the path of light emanating from a flash light and a removable member adapted to fit within said aperture.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

SAMUEL L. BRAFMAN. 

